2010
WISE Score
Amazon
The book that launched a thousand 'is it safe to go in the water?' questions—and actually got kids to read history.
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
Lauren Tarshis basically saved the elementary school reading level with this series. This book is punchy, scary enough to be cool, and grounded in real history.
It’s the literary equivalent of a really good documentary for kids—informative but way more exciting. If you have a kid who claims they 'hate reading,' hand them this. It’s a classic for a reason and holds up perfectly in 2026.
Perfect for the 2nd to 5th grade crowd. It's written at a level that's accessible for 7-year-olds but the 'cool factor' of shark attacks keeps 11-year-olds engaged too.
The protagonist, Chet, is a relatable kid dealing with friendship and bravery. The story emphasizes community and looking out for one another during a crisis.
It's solid historical fiction that helps kids visualize a specific era, though the 'I Survived' series follows a fairly predictable narrative formula.
It's a book about shark attacks, so there is inevitable descriptions of injury and blood. It's intense for the 7-10 age group but appropriate for the genre.
Excellent for teaching historical context (the real 1916 attacks) and sparking interest in science and history. It's the gold standard for getting reluctant readers to finish a book.
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